Towards pheromone-based detection of Lymantria monacha (Lepidoptera : Lymantriidae) in North America

The research objective of this study was to develop a pheromone-based detec tion system for the nun moth, Lymantria monacha (Linnaeus), an important de foliator of spruce, Picea A. Dietrich, and pine, Pinus Linnaeus (Pinaceae), forests in central Europe. In northeastern Germany, comparative analyses o f rubber- and polyurethane-based dispensers impregnated with a 20:20:1 blen d of (+/-)-disparlure (cis-7,8-epoxy-2-methyloctadecane), (+/-)-monachalure (cis-7,8-epoxy-octadecane), and 2-methyl-Z7-octadecene revealed that polyu rethane-based dispensers afforded higher captures of male L. monacha. Speci es specificity and optimal dose of the pheromone dispenser were tested in d eciduous rather than coniferous forests in central Europe to better reflect nonhabitat settings, such as North American ports, in which detection surv eys would be conducted. Baiting Unitraps with 2, 20, 200, or 2000 mu g [bas ed on (+/-)-disparlure] of the L. I,monacha volatile blend resulted in incr easing, species-specific captures of male L. monacha with increasing: volat ile dose. (+/-)Disparlure, previously used for detection of L. monacha, tes ted at the same four doses indiscriminately attracted male L. monacha and m ale Lymantria dispar (Linnaeus). Polyurethane-based dispensers loaded with at least 200 mu g of the L. monacha volatile blend are recommended for sens itive detection surveys of L. monacha in North America.